Proposal to dredge Albany's port has its detractors

Developers are eager but environmentalists are on edge over a plan to expand Albany's port.

It requires dredging and dumping up to 12 million cubic metres of sand in picturesque King George Sound.

Grange Resources has joined forces with the Albany Port Authority in a campaign to widen and deepen the entry channel at Princess Royal harbour and incorporate a new berth which would allow the company to export from the facility.

The proposal is part of Grange's push to mine magnetite iron ore at its Wellstead mine by 2012.

The company's Managing Director Russel Clarke says a new mine means the creation of 600 new jobs and a massive economic boost for the Albany community.

"The broader community in Albany see there's an opportunity for jobs, for an operation that will actually be located away from the city and therefore really minimise the amount of disturbance that happens within the city itself," he said.

Approval given

This week the Environmental Protection Authority gave the dredging project the nod but with conditions to try to limit the impact.

"Recreational activities in King George Sound such as swimming, diving and whale watching are likely to be affecte depending on the timing and location of the dredge, and the prevailing wind and current conditions,"he said.

"The proposal will result in turbid plumes in a large portion of King George Sound and small portions of Princess Royal Harbour and Oyster Harbour."

However, he says if recommendations are met, the dredging would be safe.

Summer ban

Whale tour operator Paul Guest says the EPA's conditions, including a ban on dredging in the summer months, will benefit some industries to the detriment of others.

"If it's not going to happen in summer time, when is it going to happen? Winter, when the whales are here," he said.

Sardine fisherman Peter Westerberg says he shouldn't have to pay if things don't go to plan.

"All through this process we've asked who is going to be responsible if something goes wrong. That's what I want to find out. If something does go wrong and it affects the stakeholders of this sound, who is going to compensate us?"he asked.

It is a call that is backed by the Labor member for Albany, Peter Watson, who says while he supports Grange's project, tourism and marine industries should not be left out of pocket.

"We've got this pristine harbour there, I'm 100 per cent behind Grange resources doing what they have to do but I just think we've got to protect the people who are making a livelihood and also protect our harbour," he said.

"It's common sense. I'm sure Grange wouldn't like someone coming in and affecting their industry by something next door to their mining tenements so I'm sure we can come to something which will be agreeable to both sides. I just think there's got to be a safeguard there just in case something happens."

The dredging proposal still needs to be ticked off by the Environment Minister before anything more can go ahead.